US admiral: Naval drills to help China, US work together

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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet says China’s first-time participation in the world’s largest maritime exercises in Hawaii will help Beijing and other nations work together in a crisis.

Adm. Harry Harris told reporters at a news conference Monday that the drills will help countries respond as they did when Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines last year and when Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 disappeared in March.

He says the U.S. hopes the Rim of the Pacific exercises will help the U.S. and China increase transparency and better understand each other.

China has territorial disputes with other countries participating in the exercises, including U.S. allies Japan and the Philippines.

More than 40 ships from 22 countries have arrived for the drills being held for the next month.

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